A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“Max?” Ileana’s voice halted him just as he was about to walk away.

He turned, his expression unreadable as he looked at her.

Hope flickered in Ileana’s eyes, “Yes, Max. I didn’t get a chance to say hello at the party–I was a bit overwhelmed. This is our first time meeting. I’m your sister. Ileana.” She offered her hand, the gesture timid but sincere.

Max made no move to take it. Her hand hovered awkwardly in the air before she withdrew it, embarrassed.

“Let’s drop the whole ‘brother and sister‘ act, shall we?” Max’s tone was cold, almost mocking. “The Tate family isn’t exactly famous for family values.” His words were blunt, cutting straight through any pretense. Ileana froze, then slowly lowered her hand.

“Is that just your view, or is only one person in this house allowed to call you ‘brother‘?”

He met her gaze, his eyes full of disdain. “Who knows?” Max’s mouth curled into a smirk. “Maybe none of you.”

“Is that why you all sabotaged the reunion party tonight? Was it for Alessia’s sake, to make a point?” Ileana’s voice trembled as she finally let her frustration spill out.

“Was it my fault I was taken away as a baby? All I ever wanted was to find

my real parents–how is that wrong? She got seventeen years of the life that was supposed to be mine. Now I’m just taking back what belongs to me! I’m your family, not her!”

her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. “You took the Tate name easily enough, didn’t you? Left behind the people who raised you for seventeen years just to

chilling, every word curling around her like

‘princess, you’d better behave. Don’t go

I wanted was a

of rooms in this house. Your little

a handkerchief, and wiped his fingers before tossing the cloth at her feet

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Chapter 80

back?” Ileana

yot is none

replied coolly. “But believe me, I have a hundred ways to get you out of this house. Got

disappeared down the stairs, York’s gaze met Ileana’s, sharp and unfriendly. The next second, Rex

Pathetic.” York tugged Rex’s leash, and the dog obediently followed, not forgetting to bare his teeth at Ileana as

Ileana slowly pull herself up using the banister. Her hair hung loose, her face clouded with anger, knuckles white as she gripped the

stairs and paused when she

“Miss…”